The 2020’s Most Influential Women to Watch May2020

Editor’s Desk

Whatdoesittaketobeinfluential?How

doyoudefineyourexistenceinthislife onalargerscale?Theanswertothese questionsisquitesimple,bymakingadifference. Whateveryoudo,mayitbeinpersonallifeora professionalone,andthewayyoustandoutsetsa potentialstageforyoutoshowcasewhatyouhave. Whatyoucangivetoothersandcontribute positivelymakesyouinfluential.

Aninfluentialpersonsetsanexampleforothersto followorcarvesapathforotherstowalkontheir own.Suchapersonhelpsinupliftingtheoneswho arelackinginsomewayortheotherbysharing knowledge,expertise,andexperienceinthebest waypossible.

Beinginfluentialisajourneyonitsown.Itdoesnot haveasingularstretchorapredeterminedcourseof action.Itisaprocessthatinvolvesaseriesof exceptionaltargetsandtheeffortsputintoachieve them.Itcandifferfrompersontoperson.Howone cancreateanddrivevaluetoothersintermsof ethics,brands,businesses,andpersonalchoices buildthecharacterforbecominginfluential.

Apersoncanbeinfluentialinalotofareas.But spreadingtheinfluenceinbusinessisawholenewgame. Functionally,thepersonwhobuiltthebusinessholdsthe keytoit.Itsgrowth,operations,andfutureprospectsare drivenbynothingbuttheeffortsmadebytheperson involved.Nowthepersonworkingnotonlybringsvalue tothebusinessbutalsoensuresitsexpansionwhile pavingthewaytobecominganinfluentialfactorinits overallfunctionalspectrum.

Thenew-agebusinessesaredrivenbyexceptionaland fierceleaderswhoareinfluencingthemarkettrendswith theiruniqueideasandapproaches.Withallthethings consideredwecannotruleouttheactiveroleplayedby womenindynamicallyinfluencingthebusinessworld. Womeninthebusinessarenotonlytakingthestagebut creatingawholedifferentplatformwhileraisingthebar intermsofcreativityandsmartworkapproach.

Businesswomenaretakingtheleadershipstatustoa wholedifferentlevel.Theyarenotonlycontributingto societythroughentrepreneurshipbutalsoenabling opportunitiesforfellowwomentotaketheirstandon anyandeveryissuewhilesupportingtheminbeingmore thancapable.Women,ingeneral,influenceourlivesin

variousways.Butthebusinessparadigm,withtheir influence,hasseenabrighterandinnovativeside.

Womeninfluencersaretakingtheglobalbusiness spectrumtonewheightsandmotivatingthenext generationtofollowtheirpassionanddreams.Theyare contributingtowardsabetter tomorrow byworkingvery hard today. WeatInsightsSuccesswishtoapplaudand appreciatetheireffortsandhavedecidedtoshowcasethe storiesofwomenwhohavebeenaninspirationtomany

Thiseditiontitled2020’sMostInfluentialWomento Watchhighlightsthetalesofafewsignificant businesswomenwhoareinfluencing,inspiringand invigoratingotherswiththeirzealtostriveforsuccess.

Additionally,thiseditionalsofeaturesarticlesauthored byindustryexpertsandourin-houseeditorialteam, whichprovidevaluableinsightsintodifferentmarkets.

Bon Appetite!

Darshan Parmar

Darshan Parmar

Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Anish Miller Senior Editor

Publishing Control Team

Managing Editor Darshan Parmar Shruti P. Jambhale

Quality Assurance Team

Abhishaj, Sneha

Visualiser David King Paul Belin Co-designer Art & Picture Editor

Art & Design Head Amol Kamble Art & Design Assistant

Asha Bange

Sherin Rodricks Business Development Manager

Deepanjali Jena Marketing Manager Sophie Smith

Business Development Executives

Anna Lee, Karen Holland, Jenny Jordan

Sales Executives Kelly, Michael,Sapna

Technical Head Jacob Smile Assistant Technical Head

Technical Consultants Pratiksha, Aditya, David

Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege Assistant Digital Marketing Manager Prashant Chevale

SME-SMO Executives Gemson, Uma, Manoj

Circulation Manager Tanaji Research Analyst Eric Smith

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MAY, 2020

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Amar Sawant

Ellen Voie

An Entrepreneur Breaking Stereotypes

Inthequestforgenderequality,we canseeadvancementinmost sectors,evenincareersstill dominatedbymen. Regardlessofthe job,mostofuscanagreethatbarriers arebeingremoved. Inthelatesixties andseventies,thescenariowasquite different,asmanycareerswere assignedforgirlsorboys.Atthattime, girlsstudiedhomeeconomicsandboys tookindustrialartscourses.

Itwasuncommonatthetimefora womantopursueacareerthatwas male-specificaccordingtothesocial norms.But,EllenVoie,theFounder andPresidentoftheWomenIn TruckingAssociation(WIT),hasa differentstorytotell.Sinceher childhood,Ellenwasmoreinterested inlearningthehands-onskillstheboys werelearning.Withhermother’s encouragement,sheoptedtotakethe shopclassinsteadofhomeeconomics.

Ellenlearnedwoodworking,welding, drafting,andautomechanics.TitleIX ofthefederalcivilrightsacthadbeen recentlyadoptedtocreateanequal levelofeducationforbothgirlsaswell asboys.Thislegislationmeantthat girlsandboyscouldhavealevel playingfieldwhenitcametoschool,as wellastheopportunitytoplayin sports.

Ellenlikestorelatethestoryabout sharingthefamilystationwagonwith herolderbrother. Whenshewantedto usethecar,shereliedonherauto mechanicslessonstomakethat happen.Shewoulddisconnectthe distributorcapsothecarwouldn’tstart forherbrotherandthenreplaceit whenshewasreadytousethevehicle.

ThePilottoherCareer

In1978,Ellenacceptedapositionata steelfabricatingplantincentral

Wisconsin.Shestartedoutworkingin thedraftingdepartment,designingthe materialhandlingequipmentsuchas steelpallets,bins,andracking.

Continuingtobreakbarriers,Ellen acceptedapositioninthetraffic (shipping)departmentastheAssistant TrafficManager. Althoughshewasn’t familiarwiththetruckingindustry,she immediatelytookthechallenge. The companysupportedherbysendingher toschooltoobtainhertrainingin trafficandtransportationmanagement. ShewaslaterpromotedtoTraffic Manager.

Inthisrole,Ellenwasresponsiblefor theinboundshippingofthesteel materialsaswellastheoutbound shippingofproductsasvariedas materialhandlingequipment, fireplaces,andjacks.Frombringing therawmaterialsintotheplantsto shippingthecompletedproductsoutto thecustomers,shemanagedthetraffic

duties.

Thecompanyalsohadthreetrucksof theirown,andEllenwasinchargeof hiringandmanagingthethreedrivers. Becausetariffsdeterminedtherates, customersoftentriedtoswayherwith thepromiseofgifts(bribes).Staying truetothecompanyandherownethics wasneveranissueforher.But,Ellen doesn'tdenythatthejourneywas challenging.

ANewChapterinEllen’sLife

Ellenhadstartedhercareeratavery youngage.Later,inhertwenties,she metherhusband,whowasa professionaldriver Theystartedtheir ownsmalltruckingcompany,and duringthattime,Ellenandher(then) husbandstartedafamily While raisingherchildren,sheobtainedher Bachelor’sandMaster’sdegreesin communication.

EllenwroteherMaster’sThesisabout “The Complex Identities of Women Married to Professional Drivers.” She wasaskedtowriteaboutthetrucking lifefornumerousmagazines, ultimatelyleadingtoabookwithher mostpopulararticlescalled,Marriage IntheLongRun.

In2000Ellenwashiredasthe ExecutiveDirectorTruckerBuddy International,apen-palprogramfor professionaldrivers. In2006,shewas recruitedbyalargeMidwestcarrieras theirmanagerofrecruitingand retentionprograms.

WhileworkingatSchneider,Inc.,Ellen wascompletingherpilot’slicenseand wasamemberofanorganizationfor femalepilots.Thatiswhensherealized therewasn’tasimilargroupforwomen inthetruckingindustry.

In2007Elleninitiatedtheformationof

theWomenInTruckingAssociation. Theirgoalwas,andstillis, tosupport womenemployedinthetrucking industry. Shesurroundedherselfwith astrongteamthatsharedherpassion. Ellenneverimaginedthesuccessthe groupwouldexperienceinthethirteen yearssinceitsinception.

JourneywithWIT

ThegoalofWITissimple;toincrease thenumberofwomenemployedinthe truckingindustry.Fromdrivertoboard member,diversitywasthechallenge. Althoughwomenarestillaminorityin trucking,theassociationhasbeen creatingpositivemomentum.

TheWomenInTruckingImageTeam wascreatedtoshowcaseprofessional femaledrivers,safetymanagers, recruiters,andtrainerstosharetheir storieswithpoutsideoftheindustry. Inordertomonitortheincreasein womenemployedintrucking,the associationhascreatedtheWITIndex totrackthenumbersonanannual basis.

EnvisioningtheFuture

Ellen’sgoalistolistenandthenacton theinformation. Ellensays,Wewant tohearfromourmembers,andwe wanttomaketheassociationbetter basedonthatfeedback.Animportant areaoffocusismembervalue.Whydo peoplejoin?Thenumberonereason peoplejoinisfortheopportunityto networkandtomeetotherwomen(and men)whohaveasimilarpassionfor genderdiversityinthetransportation industry.Oneinterestingfact...six percentofourmemberssaidthey joinedbecause‘Ellenmotivatedthem’ tobecomeamember!Regardlessof theirreasoninjoining,theWomenIn TruckingAssociationworkshardto provideavoicetoitsmembers(and potentialmembers.)

“ THE 2020'S MOST INFLUENTIAL TO WATCH WO EN

Jerusha Govender

Blazing a Trail in the Data Science World

ClarissaPinkolaEstés,inherbook,‘Womenwho runwithwolves’quotes, “A woman must be able to stand in the face of power because ultimately some part of that power will become hers.” Andintoday’sworld, wehavewitnessedsomeextraordinarywomenwhohave stoodandfoughtinthefaceofpowerforwhattheybelieve isrightandman,didtheywin?Theydidmorethanjust winning,theyruledandinspired.

Thetimehascomefortheworldtoembracethegreatness ofwomenleaders.Theirboldness,self-confidence, intuition,integrity,compassion,andcreativityarenow challengingthemtoquestionconventionalorsocialnorms. Undeniably,theriseofwomenleadersinthiserahasbeen duetotheirpastpain.Thispainhasledthemtofindtheir purposeandtheyareusingit,asfueltoleadchanges.Here iswhereempathycomesinplay.Whatwomenleadersdois notjustforthemselves,butfortheminoritywhocan becomethemajority Thepositivelegacythattheyleave behindisforotherstowalk-in/on,inspireandtakebold actions.

Alikemanyotherwomenleaders,JerushaGovender’s climbtothetopwasfraughtwithobstacles.However,what shedoeswithherpowerandinfluenceisincredible. Her journeytothetopastheFounderandManagingDirector ofDataInnovatorwillteachwomentochangethegame itself.

Shebelievesthatwaitingaroundforotherstorepresent yourproblemsisofnopoint.Andhence,whenshe observedthattheindustrydidnotrepresentorvalueher skills,shechangedit.Inspiteofhavinganacademic backgroundinhealthscience,Jerushachosetheless traveledroadandshatteredthestereotypesofwomenin innovation. Here’showshediditandwhy,inherown words.

RedefiningTheNon-TraditionalCareer

“IqualifiedwithdegreesinBiochemistry,Biotechnology andPharmacology.Butaftermanylongandlonelydaysin alab,Ifeltthatitwasnotforme.Ineededtodowork

closertopeopleandwantedtomakeadifferentcontribution tosociety.”

“ThenaftercompletingaMastersinPublicHealth,Istarted mycareerasaMonitoringandEvaluationinternatalocal NGO.Ispentmydaysvisitingpublichealthfacilitiesand trackingHIVandAIDSdata.”

“IrealizedIlovedworkingwithdataandsawthesocial goodinusingitintherightway.Icontinuedworkingwith othernationalandinternationaldevelopmentorganizations forabout8moreyearsasanM&Eprofessional.Iworkedin 6AfricancountrieswithvariousNGOs.Inbetween,I experimentedwith‘sidegigs’–nonesuccessful.”

“Duringthis,Irealizedtherewasagapnotinthedatabut howdatawasusedtounderstandandimprovehow organizationsworked.Ialsofoundanopportunityto creativelyexperimentwithwaysofusingdatadifferently.” “Whilemycareerprogressed,Ialsobecameamotherof twochildren.Attheendofmylastemployment,Iwassent aletterwhichsummedup“thankyoubutwewillnotbe extendingyourcontract”duringmymaternityleaveand foundmyselfunpreparedforunemployedparenthood.”

“ItisatthispointthatIchosetostartDataInnovator.Iused itasanopportunitytobuildabusinessthatallowedmeto bemorecreativebutstillworkwithdata,andcreatea flexiblelifestyle.”

I would like the company to be seen as a global leader in social conscious models and creative analytic services.

Govender Founder & Managing Director Data Innovator

Jerusha

Photo Credit - Miker Turner

Tenacityisthekey

Theproverbial,“Smoothseanevermakesskillfulsailors” clearlystates,howstrugglesareapartoflife,butwhat mattersthemostisanever-givingupattitude.Letushear fromJerusha,howsheovercametheinitialtrepidationsand challenges.

“Intheindustry,Iamoneofthefewblackfemalesrunning suchabusiness.Itmeansoftenmeetingnewclientsismet withunintendedbias,butwedeliverhighqualityandhelp shiftthesebiasedmindsets.”

“Ialsofacedchallengesinfindingandretaininggoodstaff. Fewindividualsbringbothstrongtechnicalandcreative problem-solvingskillswhichmeanthatonceIfindthem theyarealsosoughtafterbyothercompetitors.This challengedmetofindnewstrategiestoretainstafffora longer-term.”

“Introducingcreativeapproachessuchasdatavisualization inverytraditionallytechnicalsectorswasnotalways welcomed.Someofourapproachesgoagainstthe traditionalmethods,butitmakesmorepragmaticsenseto theusers.Throughalotofsensitizationofourtargetmarket atconferencesandonlinedissemination,slowlyviews changedandnowthesectorsdemandcreativedata collection,analysis,andvisualization.”

AgainsttheTide

“DataInnovatorhelpsorganizationstellstorieswithdata. Wedothisthroughconsultancyservicesinevaluation,data communication,andanalyticsandoutDataArtistrytraining programs.Ourworkistargetedtowardsthedevelopment sector.Inthesesectors,thereisahighinvestmentinsocial

changesuchasHIV/AIDS,climatechangeandother areas.”

“However,aswehaveobservedtheinvestmentshave barelymovedtheleverinrealchanges.Thisisbecause thereisnoappropriatedatathatdocumentschallengesand hasnoentryofchangesbeingmadeornotmade. Evenif onemanagestocollectthedata,itiscomplexandhardto use.”

“Appropriatedataallowsinfluence-rsandchange-makersto bringadifference.Theindustryhasmanygreatexpertswho talktechnicaldatabutfewthatcanmakerealsenseofit. ThisisthegapthatwefillatDataInnovator Weconsider ourselves‘infomediaries’,creatingabridgebetweendata, techandinsights.”

ChangingtheIndustrialDynamics

Whathappenswhenwehavesuchfierceleadersatthehelm ofthecompany?Theveryfoundationofbusinessgets shaken.Jerusha’sactionsareresultinginmajorshiftsinthe industryandingeneral.

“Ihavegrowntheteamfroma1-womanshowtoacore teamof5staff(allblackandmajorityfemale)andupto10 consultants/consultancypartners,”shequotes.Itwouldbe enthrallingtoseewhatthisteamofbrilliantinfluencerswill dointhefuture.

Whenaskedaboutherplansforthefuture,shereplied,“In thefuture,IaimtogrowateamofDataInnovator ambassadorsacrosstheglobe,whoscalethecompanyin otherdevelopingcountries.Wearealsobuildingouronline learningproductstoincreaseourproduct-focusedrevenue.”

Photo Credit - Miker Turner

Photo Credit - Jayshree Govender

JusttodayIhadayoungandenthusiasticwomencall meupaskingforadviceandmaybesomepointerson howtobringhervisiontolife.DuringthecallIcould almostseeherdeflatingwhileIpiledupthelistof challengesthatcamewithfundraising,developingtech productsandgatheringtherightteam.Iknowexactlywhat thatfeelslikebecauseI,myself,haveexperienceditmany timesbefore.Themountainofworkthatfacesan entrepreneurissheerunfathomable,andthat’sprobablya goodthing:whoknowshowmanycompanieswouldstillbe outthereifthefoundershadknownwhatawaitedthem!? Thatfeelinginmind,Ididleavethecallonanuplifting note(Ihope),butwhatIalsodidwassendheralistof femalefoundergroupsaswell.

Havingafemaleledandpopulatedecosystemthatcan absorbsomeofthepainsanyfemaleentrepreneurhasto facecanbethedifferencebetweensucceedingandgiving up.Ichoosethewords‘givingup’onpurpose,becausewe canallfail,butitshouldbefortechnicalitiesallstart-ups face,andnotbecausewearelonely,overwhelmedand unsupportedwomen.

FromexperienceIhaverecognizedthreesortsoffemale ecosystemsthatareimportantfordifferentchallenges withinthejourney,eachaddingtheirownindividualvalue, andIamgratefulforeachandeveryoneofthem:

Ÿ

Ecosystem for Women

buttheemphasisisonlearningfromandnetworking withthespeakers.Ihavemadethebestoutofthemby targetingeventswithspeakersthatcouldbeimportant formybusinessandthatIwouldotherwisehave difficultiesaccessing.Tomygreatestsorrowmany eventsareearlymorningbreakfastmeetingsat7or8, whereIpretendthatit’sanormalhourtobeaboutfor me.Myfavouriteone:SheWorx

Ÿ

Ÿ

TheCommunity:thesegroupsaremoremotivational andempoweringthanhavinganactualimpactonyour business.Especiallyatthebeginningoffoundinga companytheyareimportant.Yougettomeetother women,heartheirstories,recognizedthatit’snotonly youandmakefriendsalongtheway.Ithinkthese groupsareveryimportantforyourmentalhealth, especiallywhenyournewcompanyalsomeansa changeoflifestyle.Youcanmeetotherwomenandhave ateaoradrinkwithoutfeelinglikeyoushouldbe workingbecauseyouARE.Panelswithtalks,meetups andevenworkspacesdistinguishthesegroupsfrom strictlysocialevents.Myfavouriteone:Blooming Founders.

TheEducators:thesegroupsoffertalks,workshopsand one-on-one’swithhighlysuccessfulmenandwomenin thestart-upworld.Hereyouneedtobringyourpenor laptopandstayontopofwhatisbeingsaidbecausethe lecturer/guestspeakerwilldumplargeamountsof wisdomonyou.Sometimestherearedrinksafterwards,

ThePlatformers:Thesegroupsoffermostlyawardsand events.Whileonthesurfaceyouoftendon’twin anythingtangiblelikeprizemoney,theawarditselfads hugevaluebecauseitishighlyrespectedinthefieldand opensdoors.Duringtheeventsyougettonetworkfrom aprivilegedpositionwhichisinvaluableforcompanies thatarefundraising.Itisalsooneofthefewvisible socialmarkersthatallyourhardwork,blood,sweatand tearshasbeenacknowledgedandrewarded-something youcanshowtoyourpainfullyneglectedfriendsand family.Myfavouriteone:TechWomen100

Duringthedevelopment,thefundraisingandthepivotof mydigitalmentalhealthcompanywithouremotional fitnessgame,eQuoo,therehavebeenmultipletimesthat thesegroupswerethereattherighttimeandplace,offering mesupport,informationandaplatform.Womenarestill vastlyunderrepresentedinthetechworld,andwhilethe #MeToomovementhasunearthedmanyofthepeople abusingtheirpoweragainstwomen,itcanstillbeahostile environmentifyou’reunlucky.Andstatisticallyspeaking youwillbeunluckyafewtimes.

TheVCworldisslowlystartingtounderstandthata mentallyhealthfounderisaproductiveoneandhaving communitiesthatsupportusisavitalingredienttoour wellbeing.

Ittakesavillagetoraiseachild?Well,ittakesacityto buildastart-up.

AbouttheAuthor

Silja Litvin is the Psychologist, Founder and CEO of PsycApps Digital Mental Health, a company that uses AI, gamication and psychology to help people help themselves. She is a developer of the multi-award winning eQuoo – the Emotional Fitness Game.

Silja was born in Germany but moved to southern California early in her life. Exposed to many diverse cultures early in life, she developed an insatiable curiosity for the human condition leading to her pursuing a degree in psychology. During her 17 years of international modelling she began her Masters at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, graduating in Clinical Psychology and Systemic Family Therapy in 2013. Alongside her education as a Systemic Family Therapist in 2015, she began her PhD in Clinical Psychology.

A child of the digital generation, Silja was looking for ways to use apps and social media to help people suffering from mental issues. She went on to create a psychological mobile app that helps users identify and self-manage depression. With this idea, she undertook her PhD thesis, thus ensuring it to be evidence based and ethically sound.

Now she is venturing into the world of AI, gamication and chatbots to nd a way to be able to help people help themselves, launching her emotional tness game eQuoo in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. The game has been featured in major news outlets such as Forbes and TechCrunch and she won multiple prizes with PsycApps such as THE EUROPAS Pitch Awards and Pitch@Palace on Tour.

Silja Litvin Founder & CEO PsycApps Digital Mental Health

Lindsey Myers

A Communications Expert Driving Growth Solutions

Leadershipconsistsnotonlyof workefficiencybutalso effectivecommunicationand manyotherfactorsthatenableajob well-done.Aleaderisrecognizedwhen thepeopleoperatingunderhis/her guidance,appropriatelycomprehend theproceduresexplained,while inculcatingthesamewhenit’stimeto applythesaidinstructions,inorderto carryouttheirtasks.So,theimportant partofbeingagoodleaderistobe effectiveincommunicatingand relayinginformationinthemost suitableandefficientmanner.

InsightsSuccessintroducesonesuch leader,LindseyMyers–Founderof ConcreteBlondeConsulting She foundedthecompanyinNovember 2016,topursueherpassionfor buildingreputationsandrevenues throughbusinessdevelopment marketingstrategies.Thecompanyhas sincebeennamedoneofthe‘Top15 PRAgenciesinNewYork’by The Manifest andoneofthe‘Top10Best PRAgencies’by Web Surf Media.

Myersprovidesprofitandgrowth solutionsandthrivesasaconsultant.A communicationsexpertand entrepreneur,shehasovertwelveyears ofexperienceservingvarious industries.Theportfolioincludes consumerproductsandservices,tech, lifestyle,hospitalityandnonprofit companiesinNYCandtheHamptons

luxurymarket.

ShegraduatedfromBostonUniversity withaBSinCommunicationsand concentrationinPublicRelations.She beganhercareeratWordHampton PublicRelations,afirmheadquartered inEastHampton,NYandrankedby JackO’Dwyer’sasoneofthecountry’s ‘Top100IndependentPRfirms’.In 2013,shewasmadeapartnerandwas chosentolaunchthecompany’sNYC division.

Recognizedasastrategicleader,she hasearnedatrackrecordfor counselingclients,includingFortune 500companiessuchasNAPCO Security,Inc.,toincreaseprofits, managebrandreputationsandgain marketshare.She’scontinuallydriven byherenterprisingspiritandinnate understandingofconsumerinfluence. Shetakesownershipofthebusiness shesupportsandpartnerswithclients.

Professional,confidentandwellrespectedbyherpeers,Lindseyhas alsobeenaguestlectureratseveral universitiesincluding Hofstra University and Saint Joseph’s University,possessingapresence peopleoftenfindunforgettable.

Herleadershipandexpertisehave earnedhernumerousaccolades throughoutthecareerincluding;PRSA BigAppleAward,PRSABronzeAnvil

I’m a believer in the law of attraction and I like to make sure that we are putting out those things which we most want to manifest, both for ourselves and for our clients

Lindsey Myers Founder Concrete Blonde Consulting

Award,eightMarComawards,nine FairMediaCouncilFolioAwards, CommunicatorAward,SABREAward, andanExcellenceinCommunications Award.

Lindseyhassharedsomeofher insightswithusthroughaseriesof questionandanswersasbelow:

Whatwasyoursourceof motivation?Whoisyourrolemodel orthepersonthatinspiresyouthe most?

Mymotivationcomesfromaninnate loveforbusinessandaninnerdriveto wanttohelpentrepreneursgettheir messageout.Imeetsomanypeople whowanttostartabusinessandthe mostcommonreasontheygivefornot pursuingtheirpassionisafearthat theywon’tbeabletosellthemselves.I wanttohelppeopleconquerthatfear! Oprahhasdefinitelybeenarolemodel forme.Bothherabilitytogrowher brandandreallyprovidevalueforher audiencethattooonaspirituallevel.

Kindlymakeusawareofthe challengesyoufacedtowithstand thecomplexitiesoftheindustry. IbelievethechallengesI’vefacedare notnecessarilyindustry-specific.For me,settingboundaries,notover servicingclientsandnegotiating contractshavealwaysbeentheaspects ofmybusinessIstrugglewiththe most.Iwanttohelppeopleand balancingthatwithself-careand ensuringprofitabilityisalwaysanarea whereIstrivetodobetter.

Kindlydescribeyourcompanyand itsservices/products.

ConcreteBlondeConsultingisafullserviceconsultingandmarketingfirm inNYC.Wespecializeinproviding custommarketingsolutionsforprofit andgrowth.Byexaminingyour businessdevelopmentpipeline,weare

abletoidentifynewareasforgrowth, whilealsocreatingstrategiesto amplifycurrentopportunities.In addition,weprovideacompetitive mediaanalysis,streamlinemarketing campaignsandbuildadditionalsources ofrevenue.Weservicevarious industriesincludingconsumerproducts andservices,tech,lifestyle,hospitality, andnonprofitcompanies.

Briefusabouttheindustryscenario fromyourperspective. Communicationsisarapidlychanging fieldandourfirmiscontinually transformingtoharnessesthepowers ofbothinfluenceandinteraction.We offerclientsavarietyoftoolsfrom third-partyPRendorsementstosocial influencercampaignstoreach consumersanddrivebusiness.

Webelieveeveryclientisunique.We partnerwiththemtounearththeircore businessgoals.Thenwecreate bespokestrategicmarketingplanswith benchmarkstochartourprogressand targetourmethods.Wefeelasenseof responsibilitytoourclientsandweare responsivenotonlytotheirneedsbut alsototheever-changingworldin whichtheyoperate.

Statesomeofyourcompany’s achievementsunderyourleadership. We’verackedupnumerousaccolades inthepastthreeyears,butthe

achievementsthatI’mtheproudestof arethewayswe’vebeenabletoscore forourclients.Fromagame-changing featureintheNewYorkTimesforone ofourhospitalityclientstosomeofthe non-profitcounsel,we’veprovidedto helpmaketheworldabetterplace.

Kindlysharewithusaquotethat bestdescribesyouandyour company’svision.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” –

MayaAngelou.

Iamconstantlycheckinginwith myselfandmysoultomakesurethatI aminalignmentandthatourfirmisin alignment.

Enlightenuswithyourvisionofthe futureaswellasthecompany’splans inthecomingyears.Tellusabout yourfuturegoals.

Ibelievethatthegigeconomyandthe abilitytoworkremotelyisgoingto haveadrasticimpactoncorporate culture.Combinethosestructural changeswiththemillennialfocuson experiencesandwork/lifebalanceand Ibelievethelandscapeofhowwedo businessandhowweworkisaboutto changeforthebetter.Ialsoseemore andmoreentrepreneursplacing importanceonsustainabilityandarise inconsciouscapitalism.

Ourfuturegoalsaretocontinueto serviceourclientsandalsotoattract entrepreneurswithsimilarvaluesso wecanbuildanetworkofpeoplewho utilizeourservicesandwhomayalso beabletoserviceeachother.I’dlike ourcompanytobeanepicenterfor entrepreneurstocreatestrategic partnershipsandforustohelpfoster thatcommunity.

The Glass Ceiling Effect: Another Perspective on Women and Leadership

Theglassceilingisabarriersosubtlethatitis

transparent;yetsostrongthatitpreventswomen frommovingupthecorporatehierarchy”

---Ann

Morrison,AmericanAuthor

Theterm“Glassceiling”canbedefinedasan unacknowledgedupperlimitincorporationsandother organizations,abovewhichitisdifficultoreven impossibleforwomentoreachouttothehighest ranks.“Glassceiling”isapopularmetaphorwidelyused forthehard-to-seeinformalbarriersthatpreventswomen fromgettingpromotedorachievingfurtheropportunities inleadershippositions.Themetaphorof“glassceiling” hasalsobeenusedtodescribethelimitsandobstacles facedbyracialminoritygroups.

TheU.S.DepartmentofLabor’s1991definitionofglass ceilingis“thoseartificialbarriersbasedonattitudinalor organizationalbiasthatpreventsqualifiedindividuals fromadvancingupwardintheirorganizationinto management-levelpositions.”(ReportontheGlass CeilingInitiative.)

FamousAmericanactresscumauthorAnnMorrison definestheconceptoftheGlassCeilingas:

“Theglassceilingisnotsimplyabarrierforan individual,basedontheperson’sinabilitytohandlea higher-leveljob.Rather,theglassceilingappliesto womenasagroupwhoarekeptfromadvancinghigher becausetheyarewomen.”

TheElementsbehindtheGlassCeiling: Itisprettyobviousthatwomenarefacingalotofhurdles tobreakthroughtheglassceilingandreachtothe highestleadershippositionthroughouttheages. Preventingbothwomenandorganizationsfromreaching theirfullpotential,theinvisible“GlassCeiling”denies usallofthemaximalbenefitsofgenderdiversityin leadership.Someofthemostcommonbarriersare highlightedbelow:

Jobisolation: Womenareofferedthesamekindsofjobroleslikestaff, publicrelationsoroccasionallyfinancespecialtiesthat rarelyleadtothemorepowerfulmanagementpositions. Overtime,womenareeventuallyexcludedfromjobsin themainstreamofbusiness,theroutetakenbyCEOsand presidents.

Old-boyNetwork:

Therearemanyinstanceswhenmengetsthemanagerial powersinanorganizationwhomanagesgreaternumbers ofpeople,enjoysmorefreedomofhiringandfiring,and controlsthecompany’sassetsdirectlywhilewomenare deprivedofsuchauthoritiesandpowers.Itisthe“Oldboys”oftheorganizationthatmakesallthepolicy; wherethewomenarekeptvirtuallyabsent.

SexDiscrimination:

Inarecentsurvey,workingwomenwereaskedaboutthe greatestobstacletheyhadtoovercometoachieve success;“simplybeingawoman”wasthemostfrequent response. InanothersurveybytheWallStreetJournal, womenleadersquotedtheirmostseriousobstaclein theirbusinesscareerstobe“malechauvinism,attitudes towardafemaleboss,slowadvancementforwomen,and thesimplefactofbeingawoman.”Theseinstancesare enoughtoprovetheprevalenceofsexdiscriminationin theworkplace.

SexualHarassment:

Sexualharassmentremainsoneofthebiggestbarriers forwomeninmanagerialroles.Acorporateenvironment thattoleratessexualharassmentintimidatesand demoralizeswomenexecutives.Evenaftertheadoption andenforcementofnumerouslawsagainstsexual harassment,womendonotfeelsufficientlyencouraged andempoweredtospeakoutforfearofcompromising theirwork.

BenefitsofWomeninLeadership: Studiesfoundthatinclusionofwomeninbusiness leadershiphassignificantlyimprovedsuchfactorsas firmvalue,financialperformance,economicgrowth, innovationandsocialresponsivenessandphilanthropy

Theadditionalbenefitsofwomenincorporateleadership includestrictermonitoringandsupervisionandfewer legalinfractionssuchasfraudandembezzlement.A betterbalanceamongwomeninleadershippositionscan createamorediverseteamofleaderswithdifferent perspectivesandagreaterabilitytocontributenewideas

andthusenhancingtheprofitability The transformationalleadershipstyleoftenusedbywomen tendstobeagoodoptionforcontemporary organizations,asitencouragesemployeemorale, motivationandperformance.

OvercomingtheBarriers:

Strategies

Women’sprogressupthecorporateladderisstilllimited bythe“glassceiling”despitethemyriadofGovernment policiesandprogramswhichhavebeenintroducedto ensurethattheirtalentsandskillsarerecognizedand accepted.

Womencanhelpthemselvestoovercomethiscareer hurdleby: Acquiringappropriatebusinessskillsandknowhow; Takingupline‐managementpositionsratherthan managementserviceroles; Gainingthenecessaryexperiencethrough “apprenticeship”and“actingpositions”; Seekingcareercounseling; Volunteeringforleadershipandexecutivepositions; Andlastly,acquiringtheabilitytomeasuretheir operatingeffectivenessintheworkplace.

Anawarenessoftheemergenceofnewbarrierstotheir progressisalsoworthconsidering.Thecurrent socio‐economicsituationiscreatingdifferent“glass ceilings”intheformofthedownsizingoforganizations, newdifferentiatedandself‐directedcareerpaths,the adventofthecontractualworker,andthecareofaged parents.

Conclusion:

th

Sincethelatterhalfofthe20 century,womenhave madegreatpacesinincreasingtheirrepresentationinthe workforce.However,aconsiderablegapremainsin achievementofleadershippositionsacrossdifferent fields.RenownedfeministGloriaSteinemstateditbest: “Clearlynooneknowswhatleadershiphasgone undiscoveredinwomen.” Itisfarpasttimewestriveto findoutandfinallyshattertheglassceiling.

Bahrainoverthepastfewyearshasgrownduetoits

liberaleconomicpoliciesandtheclearroadmap whichaimstoachieveprosperityforthesociety.Its economycontinuedtheupwardgrowthtrajectoryin2018, witharealGrossDomesticProduct(GDP)estimatedat 1.8%.Thecountryconcludedtheyearwithpronounced accelerationsinheadlinegrowth,withitsQ42018real GDPestimatedat4.6%.Thishealthygrowthpace continuedinto2019andshowednosignsofslowingdown. Infact,theBahrainieconomyisprojectedtogrowby2.3% in2019and2.7%in2020.

WorkingalongwiththegrowthtrajectoryofBahrainand contributingtoitsrapidexpansionisacompanycalledY.K. AlmoayyedandSons.Thefirminitiateditsoperationsin 1940whenthe Founder, Yousuf Khalil Almoayyed opened hisfirstshopatTijjarRoad.Aone-mantradingoutletin Manana’smainmarkethasnowturnedouttobeamultifacetedorganization.Today,thecompanyrepresents prestigiousinternationalbrandsthatincludeNissan,Infiniti, Ford,Renault,Toshiba,Sony,Bose,andKodak,etc. Yousuf Khalil Almoayyed and Sons havebigaspirationsand continuetoprosperandgrowexponentially.

Thecompany’saimistoencouragemoreBahrainistojoin theorganizationsothattheycanprosperandgrowtogether Y.K.AlmoayyedandSonsarefortunatetohavefound someimpressiveyoungBahraininationalsthroughtheir trainingprogramwhocanaddvaluetothecompanyinthe future.Managementremainsinclosetouchwithemployees atalllevels.Femalerightsaresupported,andjob promotionsaremadeirrespectiveofbackgroundorgender inthefirm.

Beingamulti-facetedandservice-orientedcompanyinthe industry,thedirectorsofthismercantileorganizationensure thatitsteamworkshardtoadaptaspertheneedsand challengesofthe21stcentury.ItallowsY.K.Almoayyedto furtherdevelopwithcommercialvisionandintegrity. “We have achieved much of what my father wanted over recent years and are proud at having settled this impressive enterprise at the top of everything we have aimed for,” says theManagingDirectorofthefirmMonaYousuf Almoayyed

TheStoryExtraordinaire

MonawasborninManama,Bahrainandwenttoa governmentschoolforeducationastherewerenoprivate schoolsaroundthattimeinthecountry Thegovernment facilitatedfreeschoolingforallthechildrentherewhich

provedtobebeneficialforherasshelikedmixingwith differentBahrainis.Aftercompletingsecondaryschool, Mona’sfatherinsistedthatshefinisheshereducationin EnglandastherewerenoUniversitiesbacktheninBahrain. Shefeltluckyenoughtogoonherowntotheboarding schoolinEnglandbecauseshemadealotofnewfriends fromdifferentnationalities. “I studied Business Administration and graduated in 1974,” sharesMona.

Aftergraduation,sheenteredthefamilybusinessasapart ofitsfurnituredivision.Mona’sfrequentvisitstofurniture showsacrossEuropeandtheUSenabledhertoimprovethe furniturecollectionofthecompany.Intheearly90s,she gotpromotedtotheautomobilebusinessdomainofthe company.Herturningpointinlifewaswhenherfather, Yousufpassedawayandshehadtohandlethemantleofthe ManagingDirector

“My father was the biggest influence in my life and in the

“ “

business as well,” reminiscesMona.Shewasfondofher father’snegotiationskillsandlikedhischaracteralot. “At times, he was very tough, but at the same time he was very honest,” shefurtherrecalls.Yousufconsideredafirm handshakeasabindingcontractofasignedagreement whichinspiredMonaalot.Healsousedtosettlehisdebts withoutanydelayswhichhelpedMonainrealizingthe powerandresponsibilityofcommitment.Eventhoughher fatherwasaverybusyman,hewasalovingandcaring person. “One of my happiest childhood memories was when my father took us to Lebanon on holiday in 1957 and it was my first trip abroad,” describesMonajoyfully

Fromhermother,Monalearnedthatfamilyvaluesarealso anintegralpartoflife. “My mother’s generosity and care for the poor and the needy has taught me my first lesson towards charity work and the society,” statesMona.Her motherwasaperfecthousewife.Sheusedtocook,clean andstitchMonaandhersiblings’clotheswhiletakinggood careofthewholefamilyatthesametime.

BusinessDynamics

ItwasnoteasyatthebeginningforMona. “We are talking about women in the 70s. People don’t expect you to rise above basic jobs like operator and accountant,” she informs.Itwasveryhardforher,especiallywhenher

childrenwereyoung.Sheremembersmissingafew importantmeetingsduringthosetimesbutherfatherand thewholefamilysupportedherdecisions.Theyrealizedand recognizedthatbeingawoman,Monahadadditional responsibilities.Oncethechildrenwereoldenoughtotake careofthemselves,sheplacedextraeffortsinstrengthening thebusiness.Shehadtoworkhardinordertogainthe confidenceofthecustomersandemployeesatthe automobiledivision. “In business, there are many obstacles and losses, it is not a smooth ride all the way,” explains Mona.

Asthecompanyisapproachingthethird-generationera, Monaisplanningtoupdatethepoliciesandprocedures alongwithbringingintheexpertiseofprofessional management.Familymembersareinvolvedonlyonthe boardlevel. “We have appointed a consultant to meet all nd rd members of the 2 and 3 generation and come up with corporate governance principles and review our family constitution,” saysMona.Shewantstoprotectthefamily businessandwantstoretainitformanygenerationsto come. “We are continuing to improve our business in Bahrain in different sectors and are now concentrating on consolidation,” sharesMona.Shehasintroducedalotof measurestomakethebusinessmoreefficient.

The Fuss about AI

Ihavebeenastrongadvocateofconversational technology(VoiceTech/NLP)andAIandhavepitched foritinvariousconferences,GuestLecturesatleading businessinstitutesandtocorporatesandIamoftenbeing askedwhatwillhappentoourjobs?Sothisistruethat Artificialintelligenceseemslikeabiguntameablemonsters tomost,andeveryoneislittleanxiousaboutfuture.

Andthatcouldbetruesittingin2010,butpastfewyears newoldresearchandyoungprogressivecompaniesand devisionofenterprisesarewillingtomakeittheirsole purposethattheinfusedigitaltransformationintheir companyandprovideassistancetoothers.But,withthe prevailingreputationthatcomesatacostofeducating everyone,reallyeveryone.

Theyseeitasariskandanyhaveburnttheirhandstrying totamenoviceearlystageAImodels.Butthatsfine,thats howwegrow.Ibelievethatweareintellectualbeingswith curiousminds,whywouldwewanttodorepeatablejobs whichmachinescandowithgreaterefficiency Wecan delegatethesechoresandteachthemachinestohelpus betterandimitatehumandecisionmaking,innovateat personalleveland“DemocratiseArtificialIntelligence”.

DemocratisingAIthroughplatformsforlikevoice technology-NaturalLanguageprocessingsothetechnical algorithmscanstaywithspecificuserbasewhileuseofthe AIalgorithmscanbemadeassimpleasconversingwith machines.Thatsasureshotwaytoupskillingresourcesfor example:TeamofAnalystscantraindashboardsand BusinessIntelligencetoolstomapbusinessKPIsand generateCompellingBusinessStoriesandInsightsin naturallanguageforeveryoneintheorganisationtobenefit from,andthenkeepbuildingthetrainingoveritthrough machinelearning.Wearepersonallyrunningtrialswith Fortune50companiesonthis,sowhenIsayyouneedto

startlookingatwaystoincorporatenewtechnologiesI meanit.

Forenterprisestherearecertainimminentcrisisthat demandthattheychangerapidlyandmarketisnotatallas forgivingasitwasafewdecadesback,someoneis constantlyrootingforyoutomakeamistake.Thisisleading enterprisetotransformundertheintegratedenvironmentof DigitalTransformation.

VoiceTechnologyhaslatelybecomeastableAIprocessand wouldcompletelychangethewayweinteractwith technologyinthefuture.Visualizationwillremainatthe heartofithoweverwithconversationaltechnology,wecan expectashifttomoreverbalads,likeradio,butmore personalizedandactionable,butstilltomakeadecisionon whichproducttobuyyouwouldwanttoseeitvisually. Alsosearchwillbecomemorespecificandhyperlocal, wherewewillbepromptedtogiveverbalfeedbacks,that wouldamounttopopularityofproductsandplaces,howit happenswithmobileapplicationstoday

Siri,Cortana,Alexahavebroughtconversationtechnology topeopleforsometimenow.Theycomebundledupwith smartphonesandcanbeusedtodobasicsearches,tolook upcertainthings,cueupsongsetc.Speechtechnologyhas comemuchfurtherthanthat.Withitsadvancementwecan nowcontrolouroven,tvandotherhouseholddevices,can searchcomplexdatafromcloudorcanmakephonecalls forourselves.Itcanchangethewaywefunctioninour dailylives,ourtimewithourfamily,serviceswereceive andthejobswedo.Itcaneliminatelearningcurveof devices,repeatablechores,andcompilingexcelsheets.And itwillnothappeneventually,it’shappeningnow

Developerswillinnovatetocreatemoreaudiocentricuser interface,therewillbediscoveryperiodforthemtofindout howtominimallypromptusertogiveinputsandimplement

About theAuthor

Preksha Kaparwan is the Co-founder, CMO, V.UX Designer of Realbox.AI . The versatile IHM Pusa graduate initially served as the chef but got inclined towards technology and business analytics and founded RealBox in 2015. Within three years of its inception, they have raised $300k for Realbox and, their customers include fortune 50 and big 4 enterprises. As a thought leader she has been part of TEDTalk talk shows. She was awarded 'The sparks 2018' by your story for tech services for her exceptional contribution as a Tech Evangelist.

voicemodulatedvisualcommands.Wecansee speechapproachingapointwhereitwould becomesoreliablethatwecanjustuseit,like howwedoitwithotherhumans,andnoteven thinkaboutit.

Iampersonallyinspiredtobringacceptancefor conversationaltechnologygloballyandIbelieve thattherealsuccessforthiswouldnotbewhen bigcorporationsandindustrieswouldbeusingit butwheneverysmallandmediumbusinessand everyhouseholdwouldbeusingitandhelpusto getaholdofourrecedinggriponrealityfrom visuallyattractiveanddistractingscreensonour tv,onoutlaptopsandoursmartphones.

Wehaveseenthiskindofashiftwithautomated technologiesandprocesseswhichhasledto reducedlaboriouswork,efficiencyincreasedand avertedaccidents.Smartphonesbrought technologiesclosertotheenduser.So,Itook sidewithArtificialIntelligenceandMachine Learningtechnologies,thatwillaidseamlessly whileco-existinginourrealities.Andimpactis notjustonusinourpersonalcapacitybutfor businessestooandprofessionalswhospend endlessnightscollatingdataandmakepretty pptstoshowtothebosses.

Ibelievethatspreadingthewordonchanging technologicaldemographyisnotour responsibilityorourburden.Butyouknowwhy Imakeitmypurpose??

Becauseitisamajorstepinevolutionof technologyandIknowweneedtoharnessit, shapeitnow,beforesomeoneelsedoesit foryou.

Preksha Kaparwan

Co-founder & CMO RealBox Data Analytics Private Limited

Nicole Rodrigues

Transforming the Public Relation Industry with Sedulousness

Nicole Rodrigues , F ounder and CEO of NRPR Group, Inc.

To

sustainandthrive intoday’s competitivemarket, everycompanyneedsto haveapositiveimage.Thus, organizationsacrossallindustries seekoutPR(PublicRelations) professionalswhostrivetobuildand maintainapositiveimageforthecompany asabrand.PRprofessionalsfocusonbuilding solidrelationshipswithinfluencerssothatthey willshareinformationthatconveystherightimage forthecompany

Unfortunately,therearesomePublicRelationsagencies thatengageincookie-cutterpitchingtomedia professionalswhodonotcoverorcareabouttheirclientor theindustrywhichisbeingpitched.Thisdoesn’thelpthe companiestogettheexposuretheydesireandcanruin theirbrandimageinthelongterm.Hence,Nicole Rodrigues,FounderandCEOofNRPRGroup,Inc., setsahighstandardforprofessionalismandqualityfor agenciesandtheirCEOs.NicoleistransformingthePR industryinordertomaintainareputationofcredibilityand expertise.

EN

Witha driveto pursueacareer inPublicRelations sincechildhood,she hasmadehermarkinthis industry ThroughherNRPR Group,Nicolecontinuestoserve herclientsandhelpthemmaintaina positiveimageintheirrespective industries.

HerJourney

NicolebelievesthatPublicrelationswastailor-made forherandmeanttobehercareer.Inherjuniorhighand highschool,Nicolecampaignedforandheldleadership offices.Sheparticipatedinandwonmarketing competitions.WhenaskedaboutchoosingacareerinPR, Nicolesaid, “I wanted to find a career that involved public perception development, writing, event planning, and more. Thankfully, my college journalism professor saw my interest and potential and encouraged me to check out Public Relations courses. The minute I did I was hooked.”

Nicole’sfirstprofessionaljobwasatanenterprisesoftware company.Shedecidedtoleavetechtopursueaninternship withtheOaklandRaiders,whichiswhereshelearned consumer,sportsandentertainmentPRstrategy Afterthat, sheworkedinafewdifferentroles,includinganin-house PRmanagerroleatMOBITV,andSeniorPRManagerat VoceCommunicationsuntilrecruitedbyDemandMediaas aDirectorofconsumermarketing.NicoleservedastheVP ofdigitalentertainmentatBender/Helper.In2014,sheleft Bender/HelpertostartNRPRGroup.

HerSourceofInspiration

Nicole’smotherhasalwaysbeenherbiggestsourceof motivation.Sheactedasherstrongestpillarandinspired Nicoletotakechargeofherlife. “I was born when she was 16, but she never let being a mother get in the way of getting what she wanted. She’s been a business owner since I was young and her go-getter personality is always something I try to emulate. My mother always told me that I could do or have anything I wanted as long as I was willing to work for it. I was the first in the family to graduate college and worked hard in high school to earn

NRPRisdifferentfromotheragencies intheindustrybecausewehavevery highstandardsforourselvesbecause wewantprospectiveandexistingclientsto feelthey'regettingthebestpossibleteam. “ “

About NRPR

NRPR is an award-winning, exclusive Public Relations and Marketing Agency which serves game changers and disruptors around the world.

Headquartered in beautiful Beverly Hills, California, with other team members in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, and Las Vegas, the agency is staffed by exceptional writers, communicators, thinkers, and doers who understand the value of relationships.

NRPR supports its clients, friends and media who are passionate about their respective mission by creating lasting relationships that produce ongoing buzz and recognition. From startups to Fortune 500 companies within consumer tech, fintech, healthtech, enterprise, mobile, digital entertainment, lifestyle, sports, and consumer products industries, NRPR delivers its state-of-the-art services that positively impact its client’s bottom lines.

scholarships. I held three jobs during college to pay for my education,” Nicoleasserts.

TriumphoverAdversities

Whenaskedabouthowshedevelopedthecourageto overcometheobstaclesinherlife,Nicolenotes,“The biggestchallengecamewhenIwascriticizedearlyinmy careerforbeinganupbeatwomanwhojustsohappensto dresswellandtakecareofherself.Thecriticismcame primarilyfromwomen.Also,earlyinmycareer,Iwastold bymenthatIwas‘tooprettytobesmart.’Thesechallenges propelledmetobringmyA-gametomeetingsbecauseI wantedtobetakenseriouslybynegativewomenandsexist menwhothoughtIcouldnotsucceed.”

LivingbytheStatus-Quo

NicolestatesthatRockyBalboathemoviecharacterhas hadquiteanimpactonherentrepreneurialjourney.Oneof thefavoritequotesfromthemovie:

“Itdoesn’tmatterhowhardyouhit.It’sabouthowhard youcangethitandkeepmovingforward...That’show winningisdone.”-SylvesterStallone(RockyBalboa), inspiredhertokeeponmovingforward.Shesays,“It remindsmenottomakeexcuses.Justkeepgoing!Asa businessleader,thingsdonotalwaysgoasexpected whethertheissueisemployee-,client-,budget-orbusiness climate-related,thefailureisnotintheerrorsmadeorthe changeincircumstance,butliesinthefailureofnot learningfromone’smistakesorworseyet,dwellingon them,allowingmistakestomakeusfeelbadabout ourselvesandoursuccesses.Instead,weneedtotakethe hit,evaluateifanythingcouldhavebeendonedifferently, anddobetternexttime.”

APromisingFuture

NRPRcontinuestosettheexampleforwhatPRagencies ofthefutureshouldbe.Theagency’snewestdivision, openedinJanuary2020,NRPRProductions,offersclients afull-serviceproductioncompany,whichwillbeanadded benefitforthem.Nicolepositionsheragencyasonethat developsnewtoolsthatwillkeeptheagencyaheadofthe curveinwhatitcanoffer.UnderNicole’sexemplary leadership,theagencywillcontinuetoworkwithclientsto extendtheirvisibilityandbringtheirstoriestolife.

Most

ERSHIP Eective LEADERSHIP Styles for Organizational SUCCESS

An effective leader is the first and foremost condition for a successful business. The hugely successful leaders adopt a combination of multiple leadership styles or just one selective style.

As a fluid practice, leadership is always changing and improving the way the company grows. There are different types of leadership styles exist in a work environment.Thecultureandvisionofanorganizationdeterminewhichone isthemostsuitablestyle.

01

TYPES OF LEADERSHIP STYLE

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

One of the most effective leadership styles is the transformational leadership style. Transformational leaders inspire their staff through effective communication and collaboration and thus initiating the path to success. They set challenging goals and higher expectation from each employee eventually achieving a greater result.

These individuals are often blue-sky thinkers. For the successful implementation of their strategic visions, the organization might need more detailoriented managers.

02

DEMOCRATIC

LEADERSHIP

Democratic leadership is another highly effective leadership style. Often known as Participative leadership, in this style the leaders often ask help and collaboration from their subordinates.

This leadership usually reports higher levels of job satisfaction and the company can benefit from individualistic creativity. However, this style involves more than one individual in the decisionmaking process which makes the process slower.

04

The term ‘laissez-faire’ literally means ‘let them do' in French. In leadership, this is typically translated to ‘let it be’. In this leadership style, the leader allows the employees to make decisions. Laissezfaire leaders are known for their hands-off approach which is often criticized for poor role definition for managers.

Such leadership style is effective in creative jobs and workplaces with experienced employees. However, active monitoring of performance and effective communication regarding the expectation from the leader’s end is must to get the most out of this style of leadership.

TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP

Transactional leadership is basically focused on group organization, establishing a clear chain of command and implementing a carrot-and- stick approach to management activities. According to Boundless.com, transactional leadership includes: clarifying what is expected of followers’ performance; explaining how to meet such expectations; and allocating rewards that are contingent on meeting objectives.

LAISSEZ-FAIRE LEADERSHIP

AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP

05 STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP 06

As the name suggests, the autocratic leadership style is the extreme version of transactional leadership. Autocratic or authoritative leaders take control of the staff and rarely accept or consider employees’views or suggestions. Ruling with an iron fist is rarely appreciated by staff, which can lead to high turnover and absenteeism. Autocratic work environment rarely has any flexibility

Strategic leadership is a commonly effective leadership style. This leadership style involves a leader who is essentially the highest authority of the organization. Strategic leaders are not, however, limited to the top authority of the company. They include a wider audience at all levels who want to create a high- performance life, team or organization. This is because of this approach this is one of the most desirable styles of leadership.

BUREAUCRATIC LEADERSHIP

Bureaucratic leadership models are most suitable for highly regulated or administrative environments, where adherence to the rules and a defined hierarchy are important. In this leadership style, the leaders set a strict set of rules, regulations, and policies which they follow precisely, and they expect their teams to follow the line.

CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP

A tinge of resemblance is evident in both charismatic and transformational leadership. Both the leadership styles rely heavily on the positive charm and personality of the leader

However, this style of leadership is seldom considered to be effective because the success of projects and initiatives are closely linked to the presence of the leader

Stacey Brewer Co-founder & CEO SPARK Schools

Stacey Brewer

An Endeavor Entrepreneur with a Humanitarian Approach

Educationplaysavitalroleinbuildinganation’s economy.Itisofparamountimportancethata countrymakesqualityeducationoneofitstop priorities.Qualityeducationisnotthesoleresponsibilityof thenation.Everyindividualshouldproactivelyengagein obtainingandfacilitatingatleastbasiceducationinorderto growasaresponsiblecitizen.

Onanindividuallevel,therearealotofthingsthatcanbe donetofigureoutthelackingpointsintheeducationsystem ofacountryandtakeessentialstepstocountermeasurethe limitationsandcomeupwithviablesolutions.While inculcatingvalidmethods,factorslikeaffordableand voluntarilyaccessibleeducationalsoneedtobetakeninto accountastherequirementofbothiscrucialforan economy’sgrowth.Thesocio-economicgapinthesociety ofaparticularcountryalsodeterminesitsstrengthand stabilityintermsofliteracyandaskill-basedworkforce. Hence,againtheindividualeffortsbyeverypersonona micro-levelofeverystratumofthesocietynarroweddown toacommunityalsocountasasuccessfulapproachtowards education.

Onesuchpersonworkingwiththisapproachinthemost humanitarianwayisStaceyBrewer,Co-founderand CEOofSPARKSchools.ShehasaBachelorofScience degreeinHumanKinetics,ErgonomicsandOrganizational PsychologyfromRhodesUniversity.Shealsoobtainedan MBAinEntrepreneurshipcumlaudefromtheGordon InstituteofBusinessScience(GIBS).AtGIBS,she channelledherpassionforeducationintoherthesis.The thesiswasfocusedonasustainablefinancialmodelfor economicalprivateschoolsinSouthAfrica.Thisresearch servedasthefoundationfortheestablishmentofSPARK Schools.

Itisanetworkoflow-costschoolsoperatinginSouth Africa. “We launched our first school in January 2013 with 160 children and 20 staff members,” saysStacey.Currently,

itoperates21schools,educatesover13000children,and employsmorethan1200staffmembersaltogether “We aim to continue to open schools across the country,” shefurther adds.

Sheisoneoftheleadingsupportersofhigh-impact entrepreneursaroundtheworld.Staceyisrecognizedand awardedamyriadofaccolades.Hereareafewofthe mentions:

1. ELLEBoss2015

2. MailandGuardianTop200SouthAfricansin2014

3. GlamourBusinessWomenoftheYear2019

SheisalsoaMandelaWashingtonFellow2015(Barack Obama’sFlagshipFellowship)andaTutuFellowtoo.

TacklingtheStruggles

Asanentrepreneur,Stacey’sjourneyhashadmany challengeswhilebuildingthebusiness.Toraiseangel investmentorseedcapitalinSouthAfricawasquitea challengeforher,asthecountryisveryrisk-averse. “In our early stages as a start-up, it took some very progressive angel investors to invest in SPARK Schools,” sharesStacey People’sviewsandopinionsonbecominganentrepreneur werenotveryappreciativeorkind. “I often received feedback from people asking if I was starting a company because I could not find a real job,” explainsStacey.Also, lookingforateamtojoinastart-upisabigchallengeasper herexperience.Mostpeoplefinditsafetoworkforthebig brandsofthecorporatesratherthanjoininganorganization whereitisriskierattheearlystages.

Asonebuildsandgrowsacompany,thereareahuge amountofchallengesandcomplexitiesalongtheway Thereisalargefocusonpersonaldevelopmenttobecomea moreeffectiveandstrongerprofessional. “This was the hardest, but the best thing that I have ever done, it is

“ “

essential to work with strong and committed team members as well as have a strong support system at home,” Stacey opines.

Tofacethesechallengeshead-on,hersourceofmotivation hasalwaysbeensolvingbigproblemsanddothingsthatno oneelsewantstodo. “I have a great sense of responsibility in creating a better South Africa and I am currently aimed at doing this in the education sector in South Africa,” adds Stacey

ThecountryspendsmostofitsbudgetandGDPon educationandyetitisnotrankeduptothemarkacross differentcompetitivenessreports.Still,educationinSouth Africaisinadiresituation.InthemostrecentProgressin InternationalReadingLiteracyStudy PIRLS)assessment, ( itstatedthat78%oftheGrade4studentscannotreadfor meaningwhichisverydisheartening. “At SPARK, we have an opportunity to change this and ensure that we can provide access to a high-quality education that is affordable to the country,” describesStacey.

OdetoaSparklingFuture

SPARKschoolsoffertolearnfromGradeRtoGrade7and recentlyopeneditsfirsthighschool,andwelcomeditsfirst Grade8class,inJanuary2019.Itsinnovativeblended learningmodel,globallycompetitivecurriculum,andfocus oncorevaluesalongwithsocial-emotionallearningtraits enablethenetworktoleadtheSouthAfricaneducation sector.“SPARK scholars are persistent, responsible achievers who seek to better their country through service,” sharesStacey

TheschoolwasinvitedtotheSkollWorldForum2013to presentalongsideSalmanKhan(KhanAcademy),Sandy Speicher(IDEO)andDebraDunn(StanfordUniversity)on thepanel,BlendedLearning:TheProofandthePromise. OtherawardsandaccoladesreceivedbySPARKSchools are:

1. 2016AllAfricaBusinessLeaderAward(AABLA)InnovatoroftheYear

2. 2017EYEntrepreneurialWinningWomen

3. 2019GlamourWomenoftheYear(BusinessCategory)

ThevisionofSPARKSchoolsisforSouthAfricatolead GlobalEducation.Itsaimistotransformtheeducation sectorinSouthAfricawhichwillprovideallchildrenwith anopportunitytoaccesshigh-qualityeducation.Theschool strivestohelpSouthAfricabecomealeadingglobalplayer indeliveringinnovativelearningmodelsthatfacilitates greatstudentachievementandismorecost-effectivethana traditionalmodel. “Our next big goal is to open another 28 schools over 5 years starting from 2021. We aim to operate 49 schools by 2024 and will be educating over 30000 children,” concludesStacey

As you let your own light shine, you unconsciously give others permission to do the same